Monday, December 26, 2011

Medal of Honor Monday: Raymond Zussman

"On 12 September 1944, 2d Lt. Zussman was in command of 2 tanks operating
with an infantry company in the attack on enemy forces occupying the
town of Noroy le Bourg, France. At 7 p.m., his command tank bogged down.
Throughout the ensuing action, armed only with a carbine, he reconnoitered alone on foot far in advance of his remaining tank and the infantry. Returning only from time to time to designate targets, he directed the
action of the tank and turned over to the infantry the numerous German
soldiers he had caused to surrender. He located a road block and
directed his tanks to destroy it. Fully exposed to fire from enemy
positions only 50 yards distant, he stood by his tank directing its
fire. Three Germans were killed and 8 surrendered. Again he walked
before his tank, leading it against an enemy-held group of houses, machine gun
and small arms fire kicking up dust at his feet. The tank fire broke
the resistance and 20 enemy surrendered. Going forward again alone he
passed an enemy-occupied house from which Germans fired on him and threw
grenades
in his path. After a brief fire fight, he signaled his tank to come up
and fire on the house. Eleven German soldiers were killed and 15
surrendered. Going on alone, he disappeared around a street corner. The
fire of his carbine could be heard and in a few minutes he reappeared
driving 30 prisoners before him. Under 2d Lt. Zussman's heroic and
inspiring leadership, 18 enemy soldiers were killed and 92 captured."